Bittersweet goodbyes. Teachers Pam Cronkright, Jenny Borkowski, Bob Bradish and Ellen Riedesel are retiring at the end of this school year.
Cronkright teaches World History, American Government and AP Government, but she also was a part of the original Pirate Nation for the first 5 years. She has worked at OHS for 16 years. Cronkright says she had a tough time figuring out her career before she chose to be a teacher, but overall fell in love with it while teaching at IVCC and OHS. Both of her parents were teachers, so in college she got a teaching degree and started off at a small private school. Her favorite part of teaching is the relationships she builds with students and colleagues. “My favorite part about being at Ottawa is how proud I am of The World Hunger Project. More than any fact what I hope is most lasting is learning to learn and serve,” Cronkright said. She hopes people stay curious, and she plans to jump back into Jeremiah Joe Coffee and spend more time with her new grandson after retiring.
Borkowski teaches German but has also taught business classes and English 3. She has worked at OHS for 25 years. Before working at OHS, Borkowski got a degree in International Business and coached an international Swim Team. During her time coaching is when she realized her love for teaching and helping kids. Borkowski says her favorite part of teaching is helping kids improve. Regarding her time at OHS, Borkowski said, “What’s the opposite of boring: eventful.” She plans on traveling and spending as much time with her husband, kids and grandchildren as possible.
Bradish teaches US History, Economics and Current Problems. He started the Podcast Club, but also coached Girls Basketball, Boys Track and Football. He started working at OHS in the late 1900s (94-95). Bradish also used to film football games and boys basketball games for the school. Bradish’s favorite part of teaching is hanging out with “crazy young people.” His next-door neighbor was Bill Myers (the man who started the Fine Arts Festival), and Bradish says he seemed to have a pretty cool life as a teacher, which led Bradish to become a teacher. “It was a privilege to work with the youth,” Bradish said. He plans on using his time after retirement to keep writing, performing and producing music. Bradish says he also would like to travel.
Riedesel teaches Special Needs, Global and Social Science for freshmen. She has helped with various clubs, charities, and organizations at OHS as a parent and on the sidelines. Riedesel has worked at OHS for 20 years but had teaching experience before. Her favorite part of teaching is being around the energy of kids, and the challenge of handling and managing special needs students. Before teaching, Riedesel wanted to be a fashion designer. She went to England as a foreign exchange student, and while she was there, she had to visit elementary schools, and that is where she found her love for teaching. Riedesel even said, “It never even dawned on me.” After that she got her master’s in special needs while not only being an undergraduate, but also managing three jobs. Something Riedesel wanted students to know is, “Try everything. Come as a freshman with an open mind; don’t limit yourself. Failing is okay.” After retirement Riedesel says she won’t stop teaching and wants to either be a substitute teacher or a preschool teacher. She would like to spend time traveling with her husband and is going to use her free time to swim at the YMCA.
